MEB questions.....please help!

November 27th, 2013, 11:57 PM

A little bit of history on me and how I have gotten to this part in my young military career. It starts off with me shipping out to BCT on the 5th of May 2013 and graduating on the 18th of July 2013. After graduating BCT I was not a split-op soldier, I shipped straight to AIT on the 19th of July 2013 and had a set graduation date for the 20th of November 2013. About two months before my graduation date I started experiencing severe back pain. I tried to push through it during PT, but the harder I pushed the more it hurt. On almost a daily basis it was hard for me to get out of bed in the morning. Let alone get a good nights rest from all the discomfort the pain gave me throughout the night. So I finally gave in and went to sick-call, they put me on a two week no PT profile. During the two weeks of being on profile, I was still able to complete all the academic requirements to graduate. After the two week profile expired I had to go in for a follow-up. During the follow-up they scheduled an x-ray appointment. And put me on yet another two week profile, while the results were in the process of coming back. Well during the second two week time period we were scheduled to go on an FTX/CTX as it is another graduation requirement. Sad to say I was not able to go on this because my PULHES rating was and still is 333111. So I was held back from graduation and put on hold until I can complete a FTX/CTX and graduate with the next class. Well that sounded like a plan to me seeing as that next graduating class was only three weeks behind us. But then the x-ray results came in............

I have been diagnosed with mild Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) while here on Title 10 orders in AIT. That diagnosis was just off the x-ray results, I am now scheduled to have an MRI for a more in depth look into my spine.

My questions for you guys are:
1. Is it in any way possible for me to stay in the ARNG with this diagnosis?
2. If I can't stay in, and they initiate a MEB to be medically separated. How long will the process take?
3. If a MEB is initiated here in AIT, do I stay in AIT until I am completely processed out or do I get sent to my home state to process out?

A little bit of history on me and how I have gotten to this part in my young military career. It starts off with me shipping out to BCT on the 5th of May 2013 and graduating on the 18th of July 2013. After graduating BCT I was not a split-op soldier, I shipped straight to AIT on the 19th of July 2013 and had a set graduation date for the 20th of November 2013. About two months before my graduation date I started experiencing severe back pain. I tried to push through it during PT, but the harder I pushed the more it hurt. On almost a daily basis it was hard for me to get out of bed in the morning. Let alone get a good nights rest from all the discomfort the pain gave me throughout the night. So I finally gave in and went to sick-call, they put me on a two week no PT profile. During the two weeks of being on profile, I was still able to complete all the academic requirements to graduate. After the two week profile expired I had to go in for a follow-up. During the follow-up they scheduled an x-ray appointment. And put me on yet another two week profile, while the results were in the process of coming back. Well during the second two week time period we were scheduled to go on an FTX/CTX as it is another graduation requirement. Sad to say I was not able to go on this because my PULHES rating was and still is 333111. So I was held back from graduation and put on hold until I can complete a FTX/CTX and graduate with the next class. Well that sounded like a plan to me seeing as that next graduating class was only three weeks behind us. But then the x-ray results came in............

I have been diagnosed with mild Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) while here on Title 10 orders in AIT. That diagnosis was just off the x-ray results, I am now scheduled to have an MRI for a more in depth look into my spine.

My questions for you guys are:
1. Is it in any way possible for me to stay in the ARNG with this diagnosis?
2. If I can't stay in, and they initiate a MEB to be medically separated. How long will the process take?
3. If a MEB is initiated here in AIT, do I stay in AIT until I am completely processed out or do I get sent to my home state to process out?

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance!

Question 1. It is in theory possible to remain in the military with any medical condition if a physical evaluation board deems you fit for duty. The liklihood of this happening is a different story, but not impossible.

Question 2. A MEB can take anywhere between 4-6 months up to 2-3 years.

Comment

I asked:
Question #1- Because I would love to stay in and fulfill my contract terms, I hate not accomplishing the goals I have set for myself.

Question #2- I was hearing that the time frame for a MEB could be anywhere from 4 months to 2 years. I would hate to sit here in IET status in these AIT barracks doing nothing for that amount of time. I have a wife and three children to go back home to, whom I have not seen since I departed for BCT.

Question #3- I was told that I cant be released from this base, until I was medically cleared. Hearing this got me down, because I have a really good paying job back home. And supporting a family of five on E2 pay is not easy, but something my wife and I accepted because I was pursuing a dream.

No one here could give me a confirmed answer on any of my questions since I am NG on Title 10 orders.

I also lost my airborne slot which really sucks, seeing as I was looking forward to jump school.

On another note, if I am able to get home and wait out the process. Would hometown recruiting be an option for me?

Thank you again!

Comment

Until you're given a permanent profile, you're really in a holding pattern. Right now, you only have a temporary profile. You should try and contact the NG liaison at your training post. They can work with your home unit and your training unit and answer a lot of your questions.

Comment

**UPDATE**
MRI results came in and showed a ruptured(herniated) disk between my L4 and L5 vertebrae.

Needless to say I am still here on medical hold in AIT, went through a couple physical therapy appointments. After those therapy appointments I was in more pain and discomfort then I had ever felt before. So off-post I went to see an orthopedic specialist and was given two options of treatment to choose from:
1. Cortisone shots
2. Surgery

I now have a meeting with the NG Liaison to hopefully discuss what my options are.